𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞

Episode 36

In the fading light of evening, Dunk and Phuwin heard the familiar click of their aunt's key in the lock. Relief washed over them, momentarily erasing the gnawing worry that had taken root in their stomachs. But as she entered the room, their relief curdled into confusion.

Her face was pale, etched with a nervous energy that sent shivers down their spines. She clutched a medium-sized bag in her hand, its contents a mystery.

"Aunty!" Dunk exclaimed, rushing to her side. "Where were you? We were so worried! We tried calling you, but your phone…"

Their aunt held up a hand, silencing him. "My sons," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "can you both listen to me carefully? I need you to follow my instructions without asking any questions."

Dunk and Phuwin exchanged a bewildered look. Their aunt, usually a pillar of calm strength, was a bundle of nervous energy. The urgency in her voice sent a jolt through them.

"Okay, Aunty," Phuwin said slowly, his brow furrowed in concern. "What is it?"

She took a deep breath, her eyes flitting nervously between them. "We're leaving," she blurted out. "We're packing up and getting out of here."

The words hit them like a bombshell. Leaving? But what about Fourth? The hospital? Their jobs? A million questions bubbled up within them, but they remembered their promise, a silent vow hanging heavy in the air.

"But… Fourth," Dunk stammered, his voice tight with confusion. "What about the hospital? Is he…"

Their aunt cut him off, her voice surprisingly firm. "Don't worry about Fourth," she said. "He's coming with us. I've already arranged his discharge. An ambulance will take him… to the place we're going."

Dunk and Phuwin stared at her, their minds reeling. This was all happening too fast. Leaving their temporary haven, their newfound routine, and most importantly, leaving the only place where Fourth had a chance of recovery – it felt like a desperate gamble.

"But where are we going, Aunty?" Phuwin finally asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Their aunt hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the window. Then, with a resigned sigh, she met their eyes.

"There's something I haven't told you," she confessed.
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Its been 4 months~

In the plush living room of the Joong and Pond household, Susan and Maya, their mothers, sat sipping tea, their faces etched with concern.

"Susan," Maya sighed, "have you noticed how Joong's been acting lately? He's so withdrawn, so… cold."

Susan nodded, worry mirroring Maya's expression. "Pond's the same way," she confided. "He's become this ruthless businessman, working himself to the bone. It's like a switch flipped inside them."

Mark, their imposing father, entered the room, oblivious to their concerns. A satisfied smirk played on his lips. "Those boys are doing a damn good job," he boomed, puffing out his chest. "Just like I taught them. Ruthless, smart, always on top."

Susan and Maya exchanged a helpless look. Mark, ever the businessman, reveled in their sons' newfound ruthlessness, seeing it as a sign of success. He was blind to the emotional turmoil simmering beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, Joong, shrouded in a haze of expensive cologne, stood at the edge of a pulsating dance floor. The music thrummed through his veins, a desperate attempt to drown out the deafening silence within. He'd thrown himself into the party scene, seeking solace in the fleeting company of beautiful women. But no matter how close they got, his mind always drifted back to Dunk – his smile, his laugh, the warmth of his touch.

The memory ignited a spark of anger within him. How dare Dunk make him feel this way? Joong quickly brushed aside the unexpected pang of guilt, replacing it with a hardened resolve. He wouldn't let Dunk control his emotions anymore.

Across town, Pond followed a similar path. His office had become his haven, the endless stream of work his shield against the ache in his heart. He threw himself into every deal, every negotiation, a relentless pursuit of success.  At night, the emptiness of his luxury apartment echoed his loneliness. He indulged in one-night stands, fleeting moments of intimacy that offered no real connection.

Each night, as sleep finally claimed them, Joong and Pond dreamt of a different life, a life filled with warmth and love. But in the harsh light of day, they pushed those dreams away, clinging to their masks of indifference. Unaware of the parallel universes they inhabited, they were bound by a shared pain, a silent war raging within their hearts.

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